1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
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3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of affliction
An offense built on length has been ravaged by injuries and some sort of affliction that has the Mets regularly hitting the ball into the ground instead of in the air.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Even as Steph Curry missed two months with persistent knee soreness and swelling, as Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler were lost for the year with knee injuries, as the team trotted out 41 different starting lineups as other members of the supporting cast dealt with various afflictions.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Fans took this to mean that Muniz was suffering from a serious health affliction — but the actor now insists that people have it all wrong.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
But those maladies have nothing against the ones presented in this list—six afflictions that many of us have come to know all too well.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Even as Steph Curry missed two months with persistent knee soreness and swelling, as Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler were lost for the year with knee injuries, as the team trotted out 41 different starting lineups as other members of the supporting cast dealt with various afflictions.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Fans took this to mean that Muniz was suffering from a serious health affliction — but the actor now insists that people have it all wrong.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
But those maladies have nothing against the ones presented in this list—six afflictions that many of us have come to know all too well.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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The situation has caused significant distress for those visiting medical offices within the building, particularly the elderly and those with limited mobility.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Lorraine Freedle, PhD, a sandplay therapist, educator, clinical psychologist and social worker and pediatric neuropsychologist in Hawaiʻi and New Mexico, says sandplay can support a range of mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or traumatic distress.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
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At times the longing feels sweet and the search like a little sorrow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Such is the blessing and curse of summer produce.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 June 2026
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The Curse of Billy Penn lived on for decades, and now the modern-day Rocky statue curse appears to have claimed its latest victim.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The finale gives us more insight into the possible demon, which seems to operate by the rules of Stephen King’s It.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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Gregg Allman, the legendary frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, fought a decades-long battle with personal demons that nearly destroyed him.—
Ashley Hume , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Jonathan David scored three goals, but the match wasn't without a blemish, as Ismaël Koné suffered what appeared to be a potentially tournament-ending leg injury.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The reticence of Cartland’s heroes belies agonies of loneliness.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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And your character is in such agony.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Noun
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There followed a series of European successes (Italy, Spain, Germany, France) before the anguish, for Brazilians, of seeing big South American rivals Argentina win a third world title in Qatar four years ago.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
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Its revivification of history — staged simply and vaulted to extremes of anguish and tension by its fine acting — is both chilling and, in a sharp, icky way, often funny.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The second-half substitute headed in Graham Zusi’s corner kick to lift the Americans to a victory over World Cup nemesis Ghana.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Jeffrey Jones played Principal Ed Rooney, Ferris' nemesis, who is dead set on catching Bueller in his foolery, but ultimately fails at his mission.—
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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